I’m going to have a lot of happy fun memories from the 2012 DNC. After having gone through a long period of news work that felt mostly routine, it really felt like I was back on my game and doing the kind of work that I signed on for in the first place.
We talked to many well spoken members of both parties who represented some of the finest caring people I’ve ever met.
The excitement of being there in person and spending two weeks immersed in the process will always be a highlight of my career in news.
Of course, those happy memories are going to share head space with some of my most traumatic work days ever.
I don’t know where I got the strength to work so many long hours. We carried gear and walked many miles between the arena live shot location and our workspace. Several days included shifts where my work day started in the morning, ended the next morning and was separated by only an hour and a half of coma-like sleep.
I’m thankful that my friends at CBS Newspath were in our corner. We wouldn’t have been able to do the amount of work that we did without their efforts.
I’m spoiled by the high speed broadband they provided.
I probably should also thank Costco. Their fruit and nuts trail mix made for some pretty good emergency rations.
I’ve seen Presidents before, but never in an arena environment.
Obama’s was the last speech I heard. My reporter, Dave Bryan and I were on the floor near the back of the arena on the last night of the convention.
Not a great spot, but I could see him at the podium and on the huge screens.
The young girl with the sign was pretty enthusiastic. I think her energy actually helped me keep going.
After two weeks, I was pretty fried. My back, neck and legs hurt and I had to quietly stand for a long time as VP Joe Biden had his opportunity to talk and the President’s introductions were made.
I can’t stress the point enough, no matter how much walking I had to do with the gear, it was an amazing thing to be involved in both conventions. Two weeks on the road were never going to be easy, but sometimes difficult work helps remind me of how lucky I am to have the job and life I have.
I also need to give a nod to The Knights Inn. If I ever doubted the existence of hell, my memories of this motel will be a good reminder.
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